I am new here and have read lots of good advice already. Here is where I am at: I feel I have been depressed for most of my life, since about 16, but have had trouble having everyone taking me seriously. I'm 35 now, married with 3 kids and am nursing the youngest 2. I went into a postpartum depression after the 2nd and perinatal depression while pregnant with the third. I feel I have hormonal as well as more pervasive depression. about 6 months ago I went on Zoloft, starting at 50 mg, and am up to 150mg (this apparently is the best one to take while nursing). I have lots of questions. How do you know when you are on the right dose? I am still having lots of anxiety and panic attacks. Is there one time of day better than others to take it? Has anyone heard of having memory problems on this drug? There are still times when everything seems surreal and I have a huge knot in my stomach and my arms ache. There are times I just want to cry all the time and not get out of bed, but I have to take care of the kids, so I do. My Dr. doesn't take me all that seriously, but will perscribe if I ask him to. He just keeps recomending I take a vacation, go jogging, or go to a spa. It is frustrating. I am having a hard time finding another Dr as there is a shortage where I live and am lucky even to have a dr. During my last pregnancy I referred myself to the local mental health facility and have done some councelling, but again, it boils down to I need more time to myself. Again, I get frustrated because that is just not going to happen, then I feel hopeless, like there is no solution, or that I'm doing this to myself, and all I need is a better mental attitiude. My husband tries to be supportive, but doesn't know how.

Sadly there is still a lot of ignorance out there even among the medical profession, and i don't think the media helps a lot, when eg a high profile person gets a little down for a few days and they pump it up as a major depression, so unaware people will only think oh well you'll be ok in a day or two, which isnt the case of course.

If you can't find another Doctor, then demand what you need, it is always best to learn all you can first, then take that knowledge with you when you see him/her, Not many Doctors can handle a pateint who knows more than they do, so it may just make him/her learn about these disorders,

write down what you are feeling and thinking, and take this with you too,

Hi Mcbhaff, I wanted to welcome you to healing well forum also. I see brownleaf has given you some excellent advice so far.

I used to be on Zoloft 200mg for about 4 years and finally it just stopped working for me. I took mine at night before bed so I didn't notice any side effects after taking it. This was just more convenient for me at the time. I don't have children so I can speak if it is effective for postpartum depression or safe with breast feeding. However, I do have some anxiety issues and I can say that Zoloft never really helped in that area. When you say "your doctor" are you referring to a family practice physician or psychiatrist? If you have your family doctor prescribing your medication perhaps if you can afford it and have the insurance to cover it seek out a good psychiatrist. There is nothing wrong in doing this and they are so much more intune with mental health issues than a regular doctor would be. Also, they would be able to prescribe your antidepressant and monitor it. It really sounds to me as if the Zoloft is not working for you and you need to get on something different. Please do keep us updated on how your doing and continue to post....take care

Thanks a lot. It is nice just to be HEARD by someone. It is my family doctor perscribing the Zoloft, and only because I asked for it. Unfortunately, there are only a few antidepressants that have even been studied for safety during breastfeeding, so the choices are limited. I did try Paxil, 10 mg, but only for 2 days, as I couldn't function. It blurred my vision for 2 weeks. I think I'll look into the psychaiatrist option.Thanks again.